Aided by a complete game shutout by starting pitcher Jeremy Strawn, the Owls (19-9) pulled off a three-game home sweep of No. 24 South Alabama — and extended their season-long winning streak to six games — with a 3-0 victory on Sunday afternoon.
Strawn, who struck out seven, while giving up six hits and three walks, allowed runners in scoring position early in the game, but each time he was able to buckle down and escape unscathed, forcing the Jaguars to leave eight runners on base.
“Last weekend, he started off like this and kind of had a little swoon, but today he was really good,” FAU coach John McCormack said. “This was a good matchup for him because those guys are aggressive hitters. He did a fantastic job.”
In the fifth inning, with runners on second and third and one out, Strawn was able to strike out South Alabama third baseman Bud Collura and force designated hitter Jordan Patterson into a groundout to close the inning.
That was the closest the Jaguars came to putting a run on the board.
“I just settled in and got my release point where I wanted,” Strawn said of his pitching mechanics when faced with trouble early in the game.
The Owls were able to push two runs in the second inning due to an infield error by South Alabama, scoring left fielder Tyler Rocklein. A savvy bunt squeeze by shortstop Mitch Morales brought home right fielder Corey Keller.
The Owls tacked on one more run in the third with a solo homerun by first baseman Mark Nelson, his sixth of the year.
With three runs in his back pocket, Strawn was able to cruise and record his first complete game shutout of the year, improving his season record to 2-1.
“I only threw fastballs and curveballs for the majority game,” Strawn said of what was working for him on the mound. “Locating the fastball was what really did it.”
With the win, the Owls moved into a tie with Western Kentucky for first place in the Sun Belt Conference.
“You always have something to prove when you have a ranked team like that coming in, and we think we’re right up there with everybody,” Strawn added. “Just because we don’t have a number in front of us doesn’t mean we’re not there competing.”
FAU will dip out of the conference and play Lynn University on Tuesday, April 2. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m at FAU Baseball Stadium.
